Hoboken HS Mock Trial Team crowned the 2023 Hudson County Mock Trial Champions
This is the 3rd County Championship in 4 years for the Hoboken High School Debate Program.
Hoboken, NJ, — Thursday, February 9, 2023: The Hoboken HS Mock Trial Team were crowned this year’s 2023 Hudson County Mock Trial County Champions after defeating the Hudson School in the Hudson County Mock Trial Finals.
The competition, which is sponsored by the Hudson County Bar Association and Hudson County Bar Foundation, aims to promote better understanding of the law, court procedures and the justice system.
During the tournament, teams are given a fictional civil or criminal case to argue in a trial court setting and asked to use the skills, knowledge and strategies that an actual lawyer would utilize in a real-life trial. It also helps students develop skills in critical thinking, public speaking, role-playing, communication and teamwork.
Robin Piccapietra, Hoboken HS Principal said, “I am beyond proud of the debate team and the hard work and grit they demonstrate as they head into each competition. Under the leadership of Mr. D'Bernado and Mr. Huggins, they have grown and become such a cohesive group of young leaders. Their work together is impressive and they take the lead as Mr. D'Bernardo and Mr. Huggins provide feedback that they utilize and incorporate to become the premier team they are.”
The Redwings Mock Trial Team defeated Innovation High School and Bayonne High School in the preliminary round, Mcnair Academic High School in the Quarter Finals, and finally The Hudson School in the championship to win the 2023 Hudson County Championship.
Hoboken HS won the Hudson County Mock Trial Championship in 2020, 2022, and now this year for the back to back county championships.
Paul Huggins, Hoboken HS Mock Trial Team Advisor said, “The students worked really hard and the competition was tough. We are so proud of their accomplishments. We look forward to watching them shine at Regionals.”
The Mock Trial Team was highlighted by outstanding performances from Attorneys Frannie Michaels, Daniel Weintraub, Genevieve Fink, Coby Kriegel and Tasha Fu with witnesses Mable Bliske Villavicencio, Kendall Mc Donough, Zoe Magaletta, Juliet Hysen, Amalia Batlle, and Sage Gurtman who delivered stellar performances over the past few nights earning the Redwing team a spot in County Finals.
The advisors of the Mock Trial Team are Mr. Paul Huggins and Mr. Steve D’Bernado.
Steve D’Bernado, Hoboken HS Mock Trial Team Advisor said, “For the students of Hoboken High School, participation in the Debate Program can be a transformative experience. The Hudson county Mock Trial debate competition is where we really shine. Congratulations to the Hoboken High School Debate Program for winning this year’s county championship.”
The Hoboken HS Mock Trial Team will now move on to the N.J. State Regional Competition and will face off against the Passaic County Champions on March 1st.
Background
Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition
The Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition (“Mock Trial Competition”) has been created for the purpose of stimulating and encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation of the American legal system by high school students. Because of the competition’s experiential educational format, learning derives from various sources and results from both articulated and unarticulated messages. The students learn proper comportment from each other, their teacher-coaches, their attorney-coaches, the volunteer mock trial judges and their parents and other guest-observers in the courtroom.
Hudson County Bar Association
The Hudson County Bar Association mission is to promote professionalism and camaraderie within the legal community, aid in the administration of justice, provide access to justice to people of all backgrounds, educate our members and the public on law and legal issues, and to build bridges and extend outreach to protect the community at large. We strive to accomplish these goals in our organization through our various committees, sections, divisions, community programs, educational programs, and social events.